The Press: A Reporter Vanishes

When William Oatis, 37, went to Prague last June to head the Associated
Press bureau, he knew he was in a hot spot. Two of his predecessors had
been expelled in 18 months for "unobjective reporting," i.e., giving
the news. Oatis, a mild-mannered man who seemed unlikely to offend
anyone, stuck close to official handouts in writing government news.
His five Czech assistants helped him service A.P.'s file to the
official Czech news agency. Although he ran into the routine snags, it
seemed likely he would have no real trouble.